Pre and Post Game with Ed Reed

Rolle Reversal

2009-09-22T15:15:00.001-07:00

All the talk is about Joe Flacco and the O... but lets talk about the D. Without Samari Rolle the DB's are on an island. The only problem... it's the island from the show LOST. Foxworth will be a large addition, once he's comfortable. But that will take a few more weeks and Walker, Washington & Carr are all serviceable at best. Funny how things change from O to D or in the case of the Ravens D to O. With hopefully a full season of health from both Reed and Landry the safety position should help equalize any deficiencies in the back. Look for more points this year, and not just from Flacco, yeah he'll get his with the high powered Cam Cameron at the helm... but I'm talking about points against. Teams that are pass first will get on the board plenty and in years past that posed problems, not this year. This year the D is still better than most and the O has caught up... Finally. SO, while it would be nice to shut teams out, this season the Ravens truly have a shot to out score teams. I'd say it's a welcomed role reversal, but not as welcomed as Rolle will be if and when he comes back.

Glenn Younes
Sirius XM Satellite Radio

Don't call it a comeback

2009-08-02T07:12:00.000-07:00

Derrick Mason is now back with the Baltimore Ravens, but was his return really ever in question? Not to me and like minded thinkers. It was apparent from the day Mason "retired" that he didn't want to walk away, he even said as much. It was the business of football and sports in general that, in part, caused him to walk. Derrick Mason: a proven player, leader and #1 WR for this Baltimore bunch, still not enough to warrant a contract he and the team felt comfortable with. Hence the retirement, short lived yes, but he felt his hand was being forced and as such needed to show his willingness to turnover the remainder of his career. The sad story is Mason needed to bluff just to get any momentum going in his favor. What a shame, a shame that's how our sports world lives today. A place where Tom Moore, Offense Coordinator for the Colts has to retire to retrieve money owed to him, just to rename his title and give him a consulting job to skate around crazy rules. The term "business of sports" is used as a blanket to cover all issues that comes with today's money and fame, but it doesn't change the fact that our sports society is totally screwed up. The Mason's and Moore's of the world shouldn't have to play shadow games just to stay in football. But they do and I guess it's just the world we live in. I just wish we lived in a world that made sense.

Glenn Younes
Sirius XM Satellite Radio

FRESH PEPPERS

2009-06-26T19:22:00.000-07:00

I've written in the past about the franchise tag and how I don't understand why players and agents don't like it. My feeling is simple, if one is good enough to be franchised they will more than likely not be worrying about making a team. Which is to say they will be playing for someone and making big coin. There is no concern about something, anything, money wise. At that level (top 5 at a position) it comes down to ego, team and respect. What better way for a team to show respect than to give that player a HUGE monster deal, the type of deal reserved for just ONE player per team. And in going through all the "trouble" to tell that player they HAVE to play football, the league makes them pay that player 16.7 million dollars a year, in the case of Carolina and Julius Peppers. Which by the way is way too much money and I think Peppers is an amazing player. I'm known to side with players more than most but that's just too much money. God Bless him and his family and I'm not saying he shouldn't take the cash if it's in front of him, but WOW.

Back to the theory of the TAG, who can complain about that? Yes, that player is risking injury and the lack of a longer term deal. TRUE. But remember that player is an elite one and will remain that way for the near future. The team can franchise 3 times. That's a long term deal and then some dollar wise, and each individual year is guaranteed once on the starting roster. Some may say: What about a career ending injury? If that's the case they wouldn't be playing anyway, the only money guaranteed is the bonus and the huge one year deal is not all that far off from the biggest bonuses we've seen. AND THAT'S WORST CASE. Any other scenario is in the favor of the player. Some may also say: He has to play in a city he doesn't like. I say who cares! Do you know how many people I know that make between 35 - 65 thousand dollars a year who don't like where they work. That's part of life my friends. So to all that don't like the franchise tag. I say this... Stop crying, do the Math and think what exclusive company that moniker puts the player in and please STOP looking at the negative side. Because in life nothing is ever perfect and you can't control everything, so why not control what you can, your perception.

Glenn Younes
SIRIUSXM SATELLITE RADIO

Boom... He's Gone

2009-04-17T20:34:00.000-07:00

So John Madden has left the broadcast booth. He was a player, coach, a color guy but moreover a pitch man. From his video game, hardware commercials and steak restaurant spots Madden seemed to sell everything except actual football knowledge, which made him famous in the first place. Was he a football icon for what he did in Oakland? Sure. And then for his antics as a broadcaster. But years ago he stopped talking about football and continued his stumbling, bumbling and rumbling. Or is that another guy? I’m not knocking Madden, he did a great job entertaining the masses. I just thought it would have been nice to mix in a touch more football. He’s John Madden for crying out loud, how can I say such things? I’m just being honest, and I loved the guy but the act, if it was one, got old to me. Sort of like he did. Once one loses their fastball the crafty veteran must resort to other forms of trickery in order to remain effective and relevant and that’s exactly what Madden did. An Amazing career as a broadcaster and entertainer has come to an end, but in the end it must be noted, John Madden, like we all should, was just having fun while cashing his pay check. Or in his case rather large checks.

Glenn Younes
SiriusXM Satellite Radio

Cutler and Crew

2009-04-03T14:19:00.000-07:00

You want football you got it…. Jay Cutler, that’s the big story right. Pissed off QB, Pissed off Coach… ended in a trade everybody happy. I guess. Is Cutler a talent? Yes. Is he worth a 1st and 3rd this year and a 1st in 2010 plus a starting QB in Kyle Orton? That is TBD. And before you start I’m not saying K.O. is a world beater but he could start for at least 5 teams. Lions, 49ers, Raiders, Bears (until trade), Chiefs, Vikings etc. But back to the question is that a lot. Hell yeah it’s a lot, too much if you ask me. But for the Bears it’s what they wanted. They now have a QB in Cutler, a RB in Forte and a decent TE in Olsen. The O-line has holes and the WR core is not stellar. The D is stacked and expected to keep them in games. Could a 1st and 3rd this year have added another lineman and WR, keep Orton and been in a better situation. I think maybe but I’m no GM. So now the new look Bears have a gun slinger and no one to shot at. Oh well such is life in the NFL. Unless of course you’re a hand full of teams who consistently give themselves a shot by simply being smart. Building inside out and through the draft, dabbling in free agency but never shatter the earth. They are in no particular order, the Ravens, Pats, Giants, Steelers, Panthers and, under the radar, Bucs.

I think I’ve pinpointed the reason. Laziness and stupidity. It’s hard work to scout and really evaluate young unproven talent. But if / when done properly it’s the key to VALUE. Buying Vets and other peoples players is easy, expensive and takes no real talent other than a good Cap guy. Hence the reason the above mentioned teams win much more than they lose and the losers are always playing catch up by buying players. If the buyers, i.e. rest of the league, would just keep their hand in their pockets, like the country should be doing, and stop buying and start cultivating maybe they’d see a turn around too. Note to the Bears, Cutler may work and may help. But selling the farm for one guy long term is NOT the key to success even if it works here and there.

Glenn Younes
Sirius XM Satellite Radio

Cell phone alarm clock

2009-03-23T09:13:00.000-07:00

So I’ve been thinking about the alarm clock more lately as I now get to work at 6am or earlier most weekdays. This thinking has really led to paranoia and, most importantly, a really good question or two. Now I have to, have to, have to be awake at a certain time everyday. It’s not like I have 30 minutes leeway for any number of reasons or excuses. I got stuck in traffic, needed gas, felt a little sore, a little tired, anything, but the big one… My alarm clock didn’t go off. I just have to be at work or it’s a huge major problem. I don’t mean to the world, who cares? I mean for my job and let me tell you I love my job. I don’t want to risk my job for anything, so I need to be on time everyday not matter what.

SO… I set my cell phone alarm, it's been great, never let me down. But I’m a freak so I think about a 2nd alarm, just in case. Then I think, “Why would I do that? Have I ever been burned by the cell phone alarm NOT going off?” And the answer is simple, NO, I’ve never been late for anything because the cell phone alarm never went off. Then I think “Wow, that’s been a long time, 10 years almost, that I’ve used a cell phone alarm exclusively with no issue. And if that’s the case, then why keep making alarm clocks? I’d bet they aren’t selling many of them and that number will continue to drop with the advances in cell phones etc. The cell is an alarm clock, it is a radio, it is a cd player, and it’s an mp3 player. What in the world do I need that for? To see when I wake up in the middle of the night and get pissed off when I realize how little time I have left to sleep. I know I can do without that shit. So, if you are listening electronic companies, only old people are buying clock radio type stuff even if it can dock your ipod. Yes, you all have them and yes they are good for a living room, or office or dorm room etc. But the true clock radio’s are out. I’d think of selling something else to fill night stand space, because cell phones are small.

Glenn Younes
Sirius XM Satellite Radio

Privacy in MLB

2009-02-13T21:43:00.000-08:00

Off the football topic a bit I'm going to scream via print about the complete joke that is major league baseball. Its been talked about for weeks now but I have to throw in my two cents too. Years back baseball realized they had a steroid, HGH, and other performance enhancing drug problem. So they decided to gauge the level of abuse by asking the players to take drug tests. A drug test they said was to be kept anonymous. We all know how that turned out. How in the world did this happen? 104 players tested positive in 2003 and now in 2009 Alex Rodriguez has his name come out. People keep saying " they said it was confidential" who cares. My question is the real one, why were the players names even taken down, given a number or even registered at all?

There was zero reason to know the players that were being tested. All there should have been was samples to be tested. A nerd scientist with sample # 1, #2, so on and so on. Why there were corresponding names anywhere to be linked back to the players is beyond me. Why the union or league kept those records is another question. If you ask me I think the plan may have been to out these guys all along. Maybe keep this info in their back pockets in case things got bad. A way to sway the balance of power back to baseball and out of the players' and unions' hands if need be. Far fetched? Maybe, but what the hell else explanation is there?

There is no way this was just a mistake. Or that the union forgot to shred the docs, which again should have never existed in the first place. Half the players want the names revealed to prove they were clean, the other half want them kept private for a couple reasons. First, simply because they said they would be. They were told private, it should be private. Second, for self preservation because they may be on the list. And don't forget about the players that were using and aren't sure if they tested positive or not. Yes 104 total players including A-Rod tested for roids but you can bet your ass there were player who juiced that masked their use or only used trace amounts that did not show during testing. If I had to guess I'd say there were triple the amount of players using that did not test positive than did. This entire thing is FUBAR. There is no right answer, no solution and nothing in sight to fix it. Baseball, the Union and the Players are all in for a long bumpy ride and they did it to themselves.

Glenn Younes
Sirius Satellite Radio

Super Dud

2009-02-02T21:00:00.001-08:00

Is that really how the Super Bowl should have ended. Really? No visible replay? The league says it reviewed the play in the booth, and that it was a fumble by Kurt Warner on the second to last play of the game. First, if the booth reviewed that play where was the break in action, the guy looking at it from every angle 400 times? It’s the freaking Super Bowl, if you want to get it right any time, it’s that time. And instead we get “the networks” brushing it right under the rug like it never happened. The play from my eyes was as follows: Warner scrambled both left and right… he cocked back to throw, was being dragged down by his right throwing arm as he was trying to go from a backward motion to a forward one. At that time he still had possession, you think he should have lost it but he did not. Warner continued his forward motion, while still being dragged down, and spun the ball forward… sort of a finger roll / sling pass. How the game ended after that with no look is beyond my comprehension. That needs to be looked at by, not only, the booth, but the announcers, fans in stadium and at home. Period. And if you’re keeping track at home, and I am, the incomplete pass stops the clock, and when looked at would have given the Cardinals about 7 seconds. That’s enough time for a quick sideline play, get out of bounds and a shot with a second left. Oh and don’t forget field position. James Farrior ripped his helmet off after the game winning “fumble”… the Refs threw the flag, 15 yards… who cares, game over right? Wrong, I care, and with the non-fumble and penalty it’s Arizona ball on the 30–ish yard line. Instead we get a few looks on TV, Michaels filling and covering, Madden saying little to nothing.

Am I saying the Producers are in Al Michaels ears telling him to say fumble? Or that the Refs were told to call it that way? No. I’m asking you to consider the fact that they don’t have too. Minimizing controversy, especially during a Super Bowl is a no-brainer for rights holders like them. It’s unspoken. And by the way don’t think it’s a conspiracy, or east coast bias. I sure don’t. I just think the NFL has gotten itself so far gone regarding rules, replay, empty hand, control after a TD catch while landing but it’s not needed on a run. Inch lines and cameras, and angles and judgment of all that. The reason replay and the over kill of rules has evolved from good idea to bad execution is that they all are subject to subjectivity. The more to decide on, the more it’s up for interpretation and we all know how uniquely things can be interpreted. The answer is simple, streamline it all. Scrap reply and all that junk. If a guy jumps to catch a ball and gets pushed out-of-bounds, guess what, he’s out. That’s the defenders job, the WR is supposed to stay inbounds. Same goes for this one foot stuff. Two feet in is two feet in. Down is down, not is not. A call is a call and we move on. No looking back, no what if, nothing. Just football, and a few mistakes, because well, we’re human… and the little secret is we will never be perfect, and there will always be second guessing. It’s just crazy to try and get it right all the time when that will never happen. So why the hassle? Simple, hassle is the byproduct we have to deal with so the league has ultimate control. NFL be careful, not all your fans are stupid.

Glenn Younes
Sirius XM Satellite Radio

Too Early??

2009-01-21T16:25:00.000-08:00

No, I'm not going to go on and on about an opportunity lost or a chance to get to the "big one" that slipped away. I'm going the other way. It was a great year by any standard. Forget what this team wanted to do or what fans and media thought before the season. This was a great season, the Ravens made it to the second most important game of the year. Period. All but three other teams in the league would give anything to say that. Nobody likes loser talk but the Ravens are far from losers. Here's the real question, did Baltimore peak too soon? Did this flash come too quick? The team will certainly lose a player or two; Ray Lewis, Bart Scott, Terrell Suggs just to name a few. But who knows. I've written about this plenty of times, the front office in Baltimore is one of a hand full that is the best in the league. They find talent, make talent and keep talent. They will have this team ready next year. So, to answer my own question... NO they did not peak too soon. Next year knowing the QB, Coach etc will be a huge help. Losing Rex Ryan will hurt but that side of the ball has enough leaders to overcome. As for holes to be filled. Corner needs some work. Another WR won't hurt anybody, and the Ravens have the foresight to draft linemen on both sides of the ball needed or not. It's smart, linemen go down left and right. Build from the inside out, keep it simple. The Ravens have plenty of talent, they just need to fill a few gaps and let the mind wander about the future. Congrats Ravens and Ravens fans... it was one hell of a season.

Glenn Younes
Sirius XM Satellite Radio

HYPE

2009-01-12T04:24:00.001-08:00

Lots and Lots of media types are hyping the Ravens, Yes, I'm in the media too, but unlike the rest I look at reality. I'm here to tell you...don't believe the hype. What? You think I'm saying the Ravens can't win. Oh no, not true. I'm saying they can win. I'm saying don't believe the hype, because it ain't hype. It's the truth. And like the Ravens defense... Oh baby does it hurt. There is only substance behind what the Ravens have accomplished. Not sure about you, but I wanted the Steelers to win. Not because I think they are a pushover. Pittsburgh is super tough, but Baltimore knows them. That's a team they can beat, that's a team they've played, that they owe! They need to get past Pittsburgh to get to where they want to go. I mean that both ways, like the Bulls with the Pistons. It was both a mental and physical hurdle. It's just so perfect that the AFC Championship could be redemption for all the wrong from the regular season. What bad call on Suggs in Baltimore against Tennessee? Right now that call means nothing to me. Could it have meant home field? Maybe, but you never know. Through hard times people learn, winners use losing as motivation. Maybe it helped, maybe it hurt, but who cares. Now they are here and here is all anyone should care about. The injuries should be a concern, but others can and will step up. One game, one team. A team they know, a team they owe. This time it’s not just talk… I will see you in Pitt.

Glenn Younes
Sirius XM Satellite Radio

OVER THE SHOULDER

2009-01-05T09:02:00.000-08:00

Over the Shoulder is not just the title and not just the Willie Mays way Ed Reed changed the Playoff Game in Mia Sunday, it’s a metaphor for this Ravens team. Yes, it was unreal how Ed caught that ball going the wrong way, turned up field left, then back right and down the sidelines to the endzone for yet another pick 6. The game would never be the same. The Ravens took the lead and did so for good. Ed added yet another spectacular interception; in the RedZone I might add, coming clear out of the blue jumping the route. Add a fumble recovery and two other interceptions and the Ravens D turned over the Dolphins 5 times. That’s how it was won on paper, but remember “Over The Shoulder” should be the story. The team has all others looking over their shoulders, scared about the pass rush, scared of the run stoppers, scared of throwing the deep ball, scared to open up at the risk of turnovers a plenty. The reverse, however, is true for the Ravens . Each player can look over their shoulder and know a teammate has their back. This is a true team like I’ve written before and it’s so clear it smacks you in the face. The Pass rush is the reason the DBs can sit back and pick off QBs. DBs picking off QBs is the reason the Pass Rush is so strong. The Linebackers stop the run with the best of them because they get a good push from the D-line. But the D-line’s huge push is predicated on them knowing they have backers behind them making stops. The DB’s can take risks, jump routes and play possum knowing they have the push upfront. Each player knows they DON’T have to look over their shoulders, except to pat one another on the butt. This team is nasty, fast and more importantly smart. It’s coached well, has poise and will never let itself out of a game. I’m not saying the Ravens are a lock for Tampa but I am saying what I’ve been screaming all season. THIS TEAM HAS A SHOT and that’s all you can ask.

Congrats on the 1st playoff win since 2001 and to do it off a 5-11 season speaks to the entire franchise. See you in Nashville .

Stats to chew on: Ed Reed has 5 games, just this season, with 2 interceptions. 5 interceptions in 3 playoff games. 11 interceptions this season. 44 interceptions in his career along with12 TD. He’s a Safety and maybe the best ever.

Glenn Younes
Sirius XM Satellite Radio

That time of Year

2008-12-29T17:25:00.000-08:00

It's here, that time of the year. That time of the year hard hitting gets harder. That time of year running gets harder, passing gets harder. It's harder to breath, it's harder to concentrate. Harder to play loose, to stop thinking. The time of the year defense takes over. It's the PLAYOFFS and they are here for the Baltimore Ravens. I can't say I thought they‘d be here, but here they are, and boy does it feel good. A quick few things: What a turnaround. Flacco, what can be said... one word or 500 can't sum him up better than WOW. Clayton likes his new QB. Ed Reed has taken over the NFL the last half of the season. Just allow yourself to wonder for a minute about next year: A healthier and saveier O-line. Gregg & Landry healthy, maybe a new wide-out and corner. The near future looks bright. But that's the problem nothing is ever enough for Fans, Media, Ownership, Players or anyone. We, as a people, are always looking at what's next, what's coming, how about the future. How about enjoying the moment. Being thankful you have a team and an ownership group / front office that truly understand how to get things done. Enjoy this team that has true leaders on and off the field. They aren’t the Jets or Cowboys that’s for sure. It's just a nice football thing they have going in the Charm City, I hope all the Fans appreciate what they have, because it could be much much worse.

Glenn Younes
Sirius XM Satellite Radio

BIG D!

2008-12-21T18:05:00.000-08:00

In a city called Dallas the Big D of the Ravens proved too much for the Cowboys. Yes, the story was the two huge 4th quarter runs from Willis McGahee and LeRon McClain respectively to put the game away, but once again this Ravens Run Defense held another team under 100 yards. The Cowboys, in the last ever regular season home game at the famed Texas Stadium, were held to 92 yards on the ground and oh yeah don't forget about the two interceptions from the league leader Ed Reed ( tied with Griffin and Polamalu at 7). Sure the "Boys" scored with relative ease in the 4th during a frantic comeback attempt while running the hurry up but the D from big D was not up to the task of holding down Flacco and the Ravens now potent point scoring attack. Did anyone think this season would go this well? Not me, but what do I know? Talking with Ed [Reed] after week 15 and a very tough Pittsburgh loss he told me he thought the exact opposite, saying loudly "I did, we did, we have a good team". And you know what, he really believes that, he has to and he thought that before the season, halfway through and of course now. Winners think they can and will always win. Not winning isn't something that even crosses their mind. It's something I often joke about but it's true. Some people are born awesome, they can't help it or turn it off, it's just how they're built. I'm not talking about athleticism, talent, size, speed or any of that. I'm talking about the IT that winners have and the others don't. What makes this Ravens team good is that they have more people with IT than not and with that comes bounces, more wins than losses and... the feeling. The feeling that things will go your way. The feeling that no matter what you're in control. The feeling of knowing after all the ups and downs, you'll be on top. Like Ed said to me and I to him "we are the company we keep", and that is no more apparent than in pro sports. Winning begets winning and losing, losing. The latter this Ravens team does not even let enter into their minds. Having the chance to talk and be friends with Ed is a very cool thing. Not because he's ED REED, but because I get a peek into the mind of a born winner. It's a very interesting thing to listen to and dissect how those type people think. Sometimes I feel like I'm one of those people. Then I think either we all are, or could be, it's just a matter of trying. That of course is just blind optimism, as some people just can't get out of their own way. We call those people losers, and on Saturday 12-20-08 the last regular season game ever at Texas Stadium that's what we called the Dallas Cowboys. LOSERS.

Glenn Younes
Sirius XM Satellite Radio

After Further Review

2008-12-16T17:07:00.000-08:00

What is replay really good for, to make us feel good about ourselves? To give us a sense of security, a false one, but the feeling nonetheless? I really think that’s the only reason, to make us feel warm and fuzzy. Not to get it right because far too often “they” don’t. The refs, the coaches, it’s a joke how often the lot of them are wrong. I frequently kid around w/ my friend about how we get it right at home 85% -95% of the time. The rules are easy: wait until you see the replay a few times from a few angles, cross check the results (an 8 year old can see) from the replays just seen with the call on the field, if they match up it stands, if it’s obvious one way or another it goes that way, other than that it stays how it was called. It’s simple and easy with little to no error, but like arguing with a woman it will probably go nowhere. See, if you add logic and common sense, it just gums up the works. I’m not sure the football watching public would be so irate if the mistakes the NFL elite made were actual mistakes instead of stupid, unexplainable screw-ups. And why we’re at it take that Broncos / Chargers call from the beginning of the season , the Refs should never have the power to blow something like that dead. That has to be looked at in the off-season, which I think it will be. Hello NFL wake up you are starting to ruin the league. The Ravens / Steelers TD in week 15 was really a very bad bad overturn because it just was not overwhelmingly a TD, but it’s far from the worst call we’ve seen in the past several years. NFL get with it, replay as it is in its current form is not working. Oh yeah and a word to all NFL teams, a simple TIVO or DVR in the booth would help you tremendously. How teams get it wrong so often is truly beyond me. But it’s a catch 22 because when conventional wisdom says no way will it get overturned a team takes a flyer, and what do the refs do every now and again… you guessed it, they give hope and overturn a call that had no business being overturned. Which then leads to plenty more bad challenges, longer games, angry fans and stupid officials making more mistakes because they have more chances to show their intelligence, or lack thereof.

Glenn Younes
Sirius XM Satellite Radio

Rav-Skins - Gone in 317 Secs

2008-12-08T18:35:00.000-08:00

The Ravens Hosting the Redskins… The Battle of the Beltway…. White Collar Washington vs. Blue Collar Baltimore… All the hype in the world for this game, between two teams so close but so far away and it was all gone in three hundred and seventeen seconds. Or for those of you with out a calculator 5 minutes and 17 seconds. Two words: ED REED. I try not to go crazy about Ed just to keep it balanced but how can anyone not give credit where credit is due. Ed ended the game after his forced fumble, fumble recovery and fumble return for a touchdown with just 5:17 gone in the game, and oh by the way, on one play. 14-0 thanks and good night, and since we're counting don’t forget the interception on the Redskins first possession to set Flacco & co. to go up 7-0. The NFL has rules and the game had to be played out, they couldn't just give Baltimore a W and everyone go home. So Ed decides to take matters in his own hands and end it a bit early with his second interception on the night with just under 2 minutes to go. In the last three weeks Mr. Reed, as he should be called, has 4 interceptions, two touchdowns, a forced fumble and a fumble recovery… TWO GAMES (Philly and Wash) that’s a career for 99.9% of DB’s in the league. Ok so enough of the Ed talk I, like many, could go on all day but this time better than ever to explain the vast difference between these two cities, teams etc.

CITY:
Washington = White Collar, Government, transient, not a lot of locals, business, money, power.

Baltimore = Blue collar, family owned, local people & history, sense of community.

OWNER:
Dan Snyder = Hidden, meddling, over spends / under produces, PR before football.

Steve Biscotti = Open, delegates, Football is most important, gets it.

STADIUM:
Fed Ex Field = way too big, middle of no where, worst parking in NFL, analog video with SMALL screens, little to no replay, out of town scores few and far between, terrible traffic -one way in one way out.

M&T Bank Stadium = just the right size, middle of the city, park at local business /stadium lots/ Camden Yards / light rail / city bus / cabs, HUGE HD video screens, lots of replays, split screens for reviews, out of town scores scroll all game long, tons of arteries in and out.

Front Office:

Vinny and the Gents = Bunch of yes men looking to keep there jobs by NOT rocking the boat. No plan and nothing in site. Buy Hi Sell Low.

Ozzie Newsome = Simply one of the best in the NFL. Gets value at almost every position, finds huge play makers, has a system, minimizes mistakes and builds every year no matter what.

Each team does what only a hand full of others in the league do, the difference is that the Ravens do it right and the Redskins do it wrong.

Glenn Younes
Sirius XM Satellite Radio

BENGALS = THE WORST

2008-12-02T19:14:00.000-08:00

Is it really worth banging on the Bengals anymore than the Ravens did Sunday.... Answer: Not really but I do want t0 bang on the front office, owners and really the entire franchise. Why in the world is this Chad Johnson mess still going on? I had the chance to have dinner w/ Chad and some other NFL players in January 2008 and he said then what he told the entire football world. He did not want to play for the Bengals and the Bengals did not want him. Not an exact quote but you get the gist. So with that said why did they not move him. The Redskins, among other teams, offered pretty good compensation for Johnson yet nothing. Lets take this out of football and into the real world. Why would a company force an employee, who they don't want and doesn't want them, to continue to stay when that employee has value on the open market. Why not cut ties and move on. Instead the Bengals played the stubborn role, would not budge and played the wrong PR game. What a joke, that's why they are how they are and will never change until they clean house. People give Chad "Ocho Cinco" Johnson a hard time, say he's a diva, a distraction etc... but he knew things were going bad in Cincinnati and asked privately to be moved. When told NO he asked publicly, they still said no and now we continue to deal with this. The Bengals are a joke from top to bottom and it shows on the field each and every game. Good luck Randy Lerner you'll need it.

Glenn Younes
Sirius XM Satellite Radio

Are you sure???

2008-11-24T13:29:00.000-08:00

Are you sure what you saw was a great Ravens team or just a really bad Philly team that fell apart Sunday? I'm not saying either, just posing the question. The Eagles are in the middle of an identity crisis and the Ravens at home just play better. The defense is as strong as any and at home even more so. Switch QB's at half when yes, McNabb was playing bad, but they were still in the game. That's the exact time you want a veteran QB, played poor but still have a chance. You can rely on him to fix the issues, change his mistakes, not freak out and on and on. So what did the Eagles do, the total opposite, they went to the bench. We all saw how that played out. But, don't forget that fact that the Ravens took advantage of that. They made sure to keep coming after the youngster, not let down, and score ... they even scored on the "other side" of the ball. Need I say anything about our boy 20? Vision, hands, brain, speed, athleticism, what more do you want from a player? So after thinking and writing about it I guess I'll just ride the fence and say the win was a combo of both. Think I took the easy explanation, maybe, but I'm not wrong.

Glenn Younes
Sirius Satellite Radio

Not to worry

2008-11-17T11:40:00.000-08:00

This will be short and sweet. Yes, we all had ideas that if the Ravens played well and maybe even beat the Giants they'd be considered a top tier team. We all learned what we really knew if we were being truthful. The Ravens are a better than average team bunched up with a ton of other teams like them. Take out the Giants, Titans and a few others like Carolina and maybe Tampa Bay the NFL is filled with average teams, and that's ok. It's really what the league wants... Parity. What does it mean? It means that any team has a chance in any game. In theory it's sounds good but people like dynasty's. The Bulls, Celtics, Pats, Cowboys, Packers etc over the years have earned the love and respect of the public, not the average teams. But for now this is the NFL. Look at the bright side, the way this Ravens franchise operates they should have a shot almost every year. Keep your head up, plenty of football left and yes still a shot at post season play.

Glenn Younes
Sirius XM Satellite Radio

I told you

2008-11-10T22:28:00.000-08:00

Didn't I tell you Ngata was a beast, now everyone is talking him up... saying what I wrote several times way before the "media". I am the media and I said it first, how bout that. What a tip and catch for the big man from Oregon. OK, the game now… Wow, handle the Texans no problem why don't you. Was the game really even close, in score sort of in the 1st half but everything was painted purple and stayed that way the till it was a blowout. Didn't I tell you this team was different weeks and weeks ago? Didn't I write that despite a few losses you could see this team had a plan, wanted to win and was going to play together? Yes, Yes, Yes and Yes. The good news, the team is coming together. More good news that the AFC is much more up in the air than most expected. Pitts, Tenn, Colts, Pats etc are all beatable; The Ravens know they can hang with Tenn and Pitts. Bad news now... 4 of the next 6 games come vs. the hard nosed, tough teams from the NFC EAST. In NY w/ the Giants, in B-more vs. Philly, Home vs. Wash and at Dallas along with Cinn, Pitts and the Jags as the final 7 games. That is not an easy road to hoe. Breaking down the next 7 super fast. I could see many games going either way, the Giants will beat the Ravens but really after that I could see them winning them all or losing the rest, save for the Bengals game where the Ravens should win easily. Heck yes the Ravens can beat Pitt, Cinn, Dallas, Skins, Jags, Philly any given Sunday but they have them all in the next 7 games, hard, hard and harder. Should be a great seven weeks to watch.

Glenn Younes
XM Sirius Satellite Radio

so you thought

2008-11-05T05:54:00.000-08:00

So you thought this was the same old Ravens. I told you weeks ago not to let the results cloud what I could see, this is a different team offensively. They are more dynamic, they have the same amount of tools but now they actually use them. Cam Cameron DOES know how to run an offense, Joe Falcco can make the throws, he's cool under pressure and for the first time in a long time the Ravens can score early, often and even late from behind. Last week the Baltimore boys scored 37 points and 17 unanswered in the 4th quarter for a 37-27 win... ON THE ROAD. That's a big statement in Division. Over the past several weeks I've written how this team is growing and working toward a goal, well in Cleveland they took a huge leap. I've said it before and I'll say it again, Haloti Ngata may be the best player on the team. He's the reason Suggs had a pick 6. He routinely takes on doubles with the sole purpose of shedding his blocks to make the tackle when the o-line thought they had him contained. Ngata is as big a part of the Ravens D as anyone, and like before I can't help but give credit to the front office. They do as good a job as any team in the league with keeping the franchise relevant. The high picks turn great, mid round picks start and help and they always seem to find late round gems. The AFC, from what I've seen, does NOT have that world beating team and if the Ravens keep getting better they could make a splash this season.

Glenn Younes
Sirius XM Satellite Radio

Suggs: Big Words - Big Game

2008-10-20T17:41:00.000-07:00

There's a first time for everything, last year it was the Dolphins first and only win of the season, in week 7, 2008, the Ravens grabbed the franchises first win in eight tries in MIA. It also marked the first career TD for T Sizzle, in what has been a fantastic young one. Suggs is known for his relentless pursuit of the QB, hard hits and fast play, so it was a shock to me and others that he had yet to get in the end zone. The Ravens score so frequently on Defense one almost takes for granted or assumes all the stars score and do so often. His score was more than just 7 point or momentum. It set the tone...but that's not the reason it meant so much. It was his off field comments during the week prior about needing a Ravens win or the season may be lost. Players could and would wonder mentally or just toss in the towel on the season. Suggs and his TD kept hope alive for the season and showed this Ravens team that he is there to fight the good fight with them. That he can back up his words, help the cause, and not just be a stone thrower. Jump on my back.... I'm here to win. And on Sunday in Miami Win they did.

Glenn Younes
Sirius XM Satellite Radio

Same Old Song and Dance?

2008-10-06T05:25:00.000-07:00

Could you say this is the same old story with the Ravens? Sure, you could say that… I won’t, the Ravens Defense held them in the game, keeping the Titans to just 13 points. And yes, the last drive was helped by a terrible call against the Ravens. But this is NOT the same Ravens teams of past. It’s not all D and no O. Listen… I know 10 points is unacceptable, ROOKIE QB, ROOKIE HEAD COACH, TOP FLIGHT TITANS DEFENSE. These things will happen. As many may know I work for Sirius XM Satellite Radio and I was on our morning show Monday where this game came up. The host and producer said to me “same ole Ravens” and I had to disagree. The past regimes stunk on offense because they could not score. These current Baltimore Boys are learning to run the ball, and well, while teaching a youngster Pro Football. This team and scheme is to keep the Ravens in the game. We have seen over the first four games that this team can score. The Titans are a really good team. They are much better on Defense, like the Ravens, but find ways on Offense. Just look at their QB situation. Kerry Collins is not a world beater, but he is or is supposed to be the calming force. Dump it off to the rookie back Chris Johnson, hit the TE’s in the middle and only if needed throw way down field. Dink and dunk, chip away and play field position. Does that sound familiar? It should, it’s just like the Ravens, Jags, Steelers & Redskins the past few years. Those “other” teams mentioned have all been to the playoffs in the last few years. It’s one way to win. The other is the Cowboys, Giants, Pats, Cardinals, etc…offense and lots of it, while holding on trying to win. More than one way to skin a cat and the Ravens know the way they do it is with D. Try to minimize mistakes on O and walk out winners. It’s going to happen; a Rookie QB will throw some bad ones. Flacco did and now needs to learn from them. The key is not making the same mistakes twice. This team had little to no expectations to start the year, and I’m not saying the people in purple could not and should not be 4-0, but in my mind going into every game this year the Ravens have a shot. That is not something I would have said, written or thought 5 weeks ago. There will be ups and downs, always is, but this team will continue to fight and have a chance. Hard loss Sunday lets all bounce back Monday!

Glenn Younes
Sirius XM Satellite Radio

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Defending Consistency

2008-10-01T08:01:00.000-07:00

It may seem like the theme of my Raven blogs are similar, and they are. The reason: This team is at the very least consistent and like most know, it starts with the D. Ray Lewis gets lots and lots of love and rightfully so, but did you notice just how much face time our boy Ed Reed got on MNF? Tons and that man needs it and deserves it, although he may not want or like it. Is there a more silent, laid back, stone cold beast in the defensive back field... I don't think so. Glad the people at ESPN showed some equal love. Ok so on to the football, we knew the game was to be physical but it bordered on dirty. Sure I'd like the Ravens to win all of their game, you could even say I'm a fan, but damn anyone could see the Steelers were playing a bit dirty. That said the Ravens matched the intensity, played hard and kept the Steelers on their heels almost all night long. While most look at Reed, Lewis, Kelly, Suggs and others... don't over look a 6-4 345 nose tackle named Haloti Ngata. That guy is a monster. He fills holes in the run game, takes on two guys with ease, gets down field when needed. Hands up in the pass game and comes up with interceptions when most would, maybe, get a deflection. This team / franchise does such a fantastic job of drafting on the "other side" of the ball. They have a high draft pick who turns out great, they grab mid round guys who turn out good and they take flyers on late round guys who show up huge on specials and in reserve. Now with a new staff and a realistic approach on Offense I see no reason why this team going forward will not be consistently in the playoff picture. Yes, they lost to the Steelers in a tough game that Baltimore should have, could have, won. Yup it hurts, but it's life, it's football, it happens. Not everything goes our way all the time, but don't get the results confused with what we all saw. The Ravens are a pretty strong bunch, they are growing with a young QB and he will take his lumps. We saw it Monday, but Rome was not built in a day and he seems to not make the same mistakes twice. That's about all you can ask of him three games in. Three games people. I'm not sure about you but I'm in this for the long haul. Just like the stock market, it has ups and downs but in the end this team has the right approach for long term success.

Glenn Younes
Sirius XM Satellite Radio

Plaxico Suspended!?!?

2008-09-25T17:55:00.001-07:00

What is the purpose of suspending NFL players for missing team meetings or not returning phones calls etc? IE Plaxico Burress going M.I.A. I’m not saying its ok what he did because it’s not. No matter what was going on a simple text or phone call to the right coach or teammate or even his agent, so Drew can call the team, is all he had to do. A three minute inconvenience is all it would be, if that. Did Burress not go to the restroom all day Monday? That’s the same amount of time it would take, so don’t think I’m taking his side because I’m not. But let’s relate this to the real world. Take a sales job, any sales job. Say a TOP sales guy for this company decides not to show up for a little group lunch or get-together. Do you think the company would take that guy off the street for 1/16th of his selling year? OF COURSE NOT! No company would take away his income and more importantly their income, cutting off your nose to spite your face if not how one becomes successful. You know what they would do if anything? Take away a piece of his bonus or limit his ability to enjoy the year end trip for Top Performers (ie the Pro Bowl). But this plan only works for the stars, I understand. So what about the little guy? The league doesn’t care about the little guy. The little guy will learn, and quick, that if he messes up he is GONE. The big guys should have their Bonuses at risk for personal conduct reasons. A set of levels to be determined by the players union and league, so as to rate each infraction on a scale. They should also have the shot at the Pro Bowl taken away for certain infractions. Those are some choices and yes that will never fly the way contracts are today because the bonus money is the HOLY GRAIL for players as the only thing guaranteed, but if they themselves get together and realize this is an alternative to missing GAMES and now when they miss time they lose money anyway… maybe just maybe we can get somewhere. To take a player off the field, hurt him, hurt the team and hurt the fans, to me, is throwing bad after bad. Let’s try and make some sense people!

Glenn Younes

Sirius XM Satellite Radio

Synergy

2008-09-22T18:32:00.000-07:00

Yes it's early and yes there are MUCH tougher opponents on the horizon for this Baltimore Raven Team. A Young team at least at the helm. As for now both the Coach and QB are rookies. Yeah I know not groundbreaking news... so what's my point. Point is for the 1st time in a long time the team has synergy, togetherness, cohesion. Sure the D is ahead of the O. The Defense is always looking to turnover the other team, looking for blood and to knock the others head off. But the O ain't no slouch. Sure they turn it over themselves, a young QB is bound to make mistakes but at least they have a plan, they try, they make an effort. AND you know the best part; they even score TD's after getting the ball from the D on a turnover. No three and out, not a field goal.... a Wing and a prayer. Sure it's a learning process but the Coach, QB and others around them are really trying. This is a Team, not an Offense a Defense and Specials... But a Team, a Team finding its way… but a Team. A young few at the top, but a Team. A Team learning how to win in the NFL, but a Team. No envy from one side or the other, no resentment, no division.... JUST A TEAM... A 2-0 TEAM.

Glenn Younes
Sirius XM Satellite Radio